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| Date: From: Subject: | 9/23/2005 4:36:44 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Rhode Is.-Bristol Warren to Vote on Increase in Homeschool Regulations |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Rhode Is.-Bristol Warren to Vote on Increase in Homeschool Regulations Dear HSLDA members and friends: This is a call for all Bristol-Warren homeschool families to stand up to stop a dramatic increase in homeschool regulations. On Monday, September 26, members of the Bristol Warren School Committee will meet to cast their final vote on a policy that would hurt homeschool families. Under current policy, families simply file a notice and they are free to homeschool after initial approval. If passed, the new policy would force families to use a curriculum that is "equitable with" public school curriculum. Families whose curriculum differs more than minimally from the school's would have their program denied. Also, the new policy mandates that families complete any forms school officials choose to create. One form would force parents to agree to submit assessments for all required subjects. Under current policy, no assessments are required. Another form requires families to submit a "program of study." This was not required before. Submission of an "unacceptable" program would result in a denial of homeschooling. In addition, parents will be required to file a notice every year. Finally, parents will be forced to submit attendance records twice a year. Under current policy, attendance records must simply be available for inspection. ACTION REQUESTED: If you live in the Bristol Warren school district, 1. Come to the meeting to show you oppose needlessly increasing homeschool regulations. The school committee members will meet at 7:00 p.m. at Mount Hope High School Cafeteria, 199 Chestnut Street, Bristol. 2. Please call every member of the school committee, at their homes, over the weekend and express your opposition to the proposed policy. Contact information is below. Your message can be as simple as: "Please reject the proposed homeschool policy. It will increase red tape and headaches for families and administrators and it will not improve anyone's education." Marjorie J. McBride, Chairperson 401-253-8006 William A. Estrella, Jr., Vice-Chairperson 401-245-4872 William M. O'Dell, Secretary bill032453@aol.com Thomas E. Skuba 401-253-4774 Timothy L. Avila 401-245-3228 Joyce M. Kinsella 401-253-5108 John P. Saviano 401-247-0434 Paul Silva 401-253-1107 Beverly Z. Travers 401-253-6760 REASONS TO OPPOSE NEW REGULATIONS: Standardized test scores show that homeschool students already excel in every area. Further regulation is unnecessary. Statistics show that homeschool students in states with heavy regulation do no better academically than students in states with little or no regulation. Heavy regulation does not improve student learning. One reason homeschooling is so successful is that parents are free to choose their own curriculum, teaching style, hours of instruction, and tailor them to their children's needs. It is both unnecessary and unwise to take standards that are intended for institutions and apply them to homes. "One size fits all" government standards for curriculum content, hours of instruction, etc., can never be applied in private homes because each child is different and it's necessary to have individualized programs for homeschooling to be successful. For families who homeschool for faith reasons, more regulation increases the likelihood their constitutional right to free expression of religion, as practiced in their homeschool program, will be violated. Sincerely, Scott Woodruff HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many news articles did you read this morning over your oatmeal? We live in a world where concise information presented at the right time can make a big difference in the outcome of important legislative efforts. Yet it's tough to keep up with all the issues that affect you. HSLDA does this for you in the areas that affect your homeschool. Our emails and website enable you to take quick, decisive action. Please consider becoming a part of this team. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1923 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
